Wonderful just go on and do your thing and spread the truth // Johnny

As this is the internet and in America, whether you believe it or not, there are many freedoms, you can spew whatever crap you wish out there. However, don't act so surprised when someone takes offense or wishes to further discuss your opinions. God Bless the USA!

I think Lexee missed the point, America has less freedoms that a lot of other western countries but we are told different in our schooling it's sad. While a lot of the western world is nearly as bad as the US US citizens despite being a melting pot, seem to lack outside world knowledge. We have been taught to believe we are the best country in the world and the most free but that's far from the truth.

Anyway, you shouldn't of had to defend yourself. I'm an American now living in the UK next stop Netherlands and I completely agree with all your personal views on the US. I love my fellow American people but in general I am not keen on the US.

I'm sorry but these articles on U.S. greed and freedom are a load of crap. The conversation is not uncommon as it is often written by typical ethnocentric foreigners.

I am not american but I don't need to live in 11 countries to know that America is the land of opportunity. It's true, consumerism is what makes it the first economy in the world, but americans also have more choices than anyone else in the world.

Couple things to further contradict the hypocrisy and ignorance:

Humans haven't existed for millions of years.

Governments can't print money as they please.

The USA invented national parks. Perhaps the writer should visit Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, or Yosemite to better understand if natural resources are indeed being "raped" by americans.

Americans have access to non-GMO and organic food (even though non-GMO is not always better), which is why Whole Foods is the #1 super market in the USA.

Average american doesn't care about brands, which is why WalMart is the #1 retail store in the USA.

Finally, it's interesting how this conversation was started by someone from Finland who happened to be on a leisurely world tour with the help of an american corporation. Taxes are higher in Finland than in the USA, and there have been more mass murders and suicides per capita in scandinavia then anywhere else in the world, including the USA.

@ Lexee as I am a snowbird from Canada, spending about 6 months of the year in the USA, I am surprised at the lack of freedom that actually exists in the USA, especially when one considers how so many people view the USA as the epitomy of a free country.

Not only are there so many more restrictions to what one can do in the USA as compared to Canada, the intrusive nature of the government is unbelievable when one considers what your constitution actually called for.

It is too bad that American exceptionalism dominates many citizens point of view. I've been 38 of the 50 states, and it keeps shocking me how little Americans know even of their own country nevermind the rest of the world.

It would really do Americans well be more cognizant, of what the rest of the world is like. That is not meant in any way to be denigrating but it is a reality that most Americans don't even have a passport just see what the rest of the world is like.

This blog used to be about you and Alex and the freedom of you sailing around the world. Americans don't especially like hearing people bad mouth the freedom that we find so dear. I am going to take you off my RSS feed and check back every so often to see if you guys have gone back to your traveling lifestyle, that was the initial draw of this blog.

Taru, you speak of thinking deeply about things but you fail to see that your freedom to cruise the world has been funded by the commercialism you so oppose. If it were not for your sponsors and the way you earn your living you couldn't do what you are doing. But none of us are monks or hermits living in mountain caves, so we all are doing it at some level. Sorry, but you are starting to sound like someone who's found a "religion" called I know the truth about freedom and I need to tell the world about it.

@Andy can you clarify what freedoms Americans don't have that Canadians do?

@Rock I think you missed Lexee's point, I don't think she is saying America is perfect, in fact it is far from perfect but there is no perfect country as the writer herself mentions in this blog. I still don't see what freedoms other western countries provide that the US doesn't have. In my opinion americans have more choices than others, from food to lifestyle to business choices. In fact, no american has to be a "slave" to a corporation, it's why startups are an original product of americans.

I too, have lived abroad, traveled to several countries, but that would only lead me to less likely to hand out brash overstatements about over countries, instead of feeling more inclined to. It doesn't matter how many countries you've sailed to and the lovely life you've led on the water funded by one our "greedy" countries which you supposedly despise, if you judge other people for the life that they live, you're going to rile some voices up! Now, I hope you still have your boat near and ready so you can get on it and get the hell out of our country. Let me know when you find your dream oasis that offers you many freedoms and hand outs and then sits back and lets you criticize it.

Like I said, some of you people really need to learn to read better. I have never claimed to be totally free from commercialism. But I make active choices every day of my life and work in the ways that suits me the best. I've been lucky, or perhaps persistent, enough, to be able to work with photography that I love.

If corporate businesses wants to buy my art (photography), they're obviously very welcome. As are private people. Tommy Hilfiger was one such client and they paid well, very thankful for that!

Oh, hell, I hear alarm bells already. Just when I thought I am surrounded by ignorant dumb-ass-hicks, I've already found some really ignorant kunt-faces in the last few comments. Take a look at yourselves in the mirror, bitches!

Lets serve it up! Taru is just darling. She always tells the truth here, and that is how the fuck I like it. Straight up! I love that T shares beauty & ugly. That is what makes life real and that is just experiences, from the heart.

You're all reacting like an awful Hollywood movie. I mean... Wait..."Oh My God!" - You guys might "Get Really Offended By What I Have To Saaaaaay" - Please, shut the fuck up and drink a coffee, do yourselves a favor. And for the record, as I always said to my passengers on the plane: Sit the fuck down and shut the fuck up.

Over and out.

xoxoxoxo

p.s T, We should just build a commune. And call it "intelligencia" - Only down home, true, heart-felt, travelled, open minded, cool, people, are allowed to live there. We'll make chalets that are natural, chic, bit of beach access... And drink champagne. And, of course talk about travel. xxx

People follow this blog for sailing and adventure. I no longer welcome you in my country. Go back to where-ever it is you come from. You should learn not to bring politics into a good thing and never let anyone outside the family know what you are thinking. You really ruined a good thing for yourself and Alex. Go home!!! If you have one.

Who said anything about dispising the US, i didnt say that nor did Taru. The US is undoubtedly the most commericalised country in the world, (though not in all areas) and alot of fellow Americans know this to. Some people like it, if they do good for them there is nothing wrong with that if they arent hurting anyone. But, its not really the definition of freedom, if you hate your job but have to do it to pay the bills your not free.

In regards to freedom other countries have that US doesn't, education is a main one. US citizens may be able to set up startups slightly easier (but not much easier) than other countries, but they don't have access to free education unlike alot of others western countries, which i find more important to be honest. Freedom wise most western countries are the same. Freedom doesn't separate the US from the rest of the world anymore.

Again if you like how things are now, fine. But many don't, depression and mental illnesses and obesity are on the rise along with stress related illnesses. The more commercial a country the unhappier they seem to become (US has the highest depression rate, followed by Australia)

Neither your English, your thoughtful way of expressing yourself, nor the marvelous way you and Alex are leading your well lived lives can ever be considered as anything approaching lousy- quite the opposite.

Don't let them get you down. It's just the jealous talking trash.

Well said!

Everyone has an opinion and perspective derived from our own experiences. I understood well what you were getting at in your last (and this) post.

Like the two of you, I have traveled to many places in the world and that has taught me to see things with an open mind.

Some people have a different idea of what they are comfortable with in their environment and how they live. Some people prefer the big houses and nice cars and others are comfortable living on a boat anchored off a remote island. That's almost exactly the difference between my fiancée and myself. I feel I can adapt to my environment and still be happy living a simple life. If I needed or wanted to, I could live on my boat. My fiancée on the other hand thinks that's a bad idea, she'll never do it and looks toward getting an even bigger "nicer" home.

Like I said, everyone has an opinion and perspective and an idea of what works for them.

It's good to see your own perspective as you continue to travel the world.
Thank You. :-)

Initially, when started reading the post I admit I was a bit pissed that a foreigner was seemingly bashing my country. Then it occurred to me here I am sitting at my desk wishing that I was on my boat. Alex and Taru are living the life that I wish for myself.

It is kind of a catch 22 though. I am a corporate slave in order to pay for my boat and the journies I hope to take. Not everyone is lucky enough to sell a business and take off cruising right away. I understand and respect the point being made though.

Hey! Great post, as always:)

I'm from sweden too, allthough I'm living and studying in South Africa at the moment. I also struggle with how to break free, you definitely need money in order to get around in this world. But reading your blogg gives me hope. It makes me think that maybe me and my boyfriend also can fulfill our dreams of traveling the world, not getting stuck in how society wants us to live our lives.

So I just wanted to say thanx for being a great inspiration! stor kram, maja.

Dear Taru,

As I read through the comments of both articles about money and freedom, I see many offended people. To be honest I too was slightly offended at first (strangely so, since I am living in Canada and I am an immigrant born in the Soviet Union).

I think the problem lies not with the ideas you express. You make valid points from the perspective of someone who has had the opportunity to witness/participate in other ways of living. You do mention that the USA just happens to be a good example for the complex topic you tackle, especially since you are experiencing living on it's soil this very moment.

In my case what put me off, was not the ideas, but the wording. Things like "superficial Florida", "A brand new 100 dollar bill straight from factory which the federal reserve keeps printing like it was toilet paper.", "But maybe it is so that reality is a thought too scary for most people to handle?" made me really uneasy, they seem so condescending.

At the end of the day, it is your blog and you can choose to word your opinions in any way you want. However seeing that you created another post explaining yourself, makes me think that you might not always choose the most efficient words to communicate (and it has nothing to do with your knowledge of English, which is by the way very good!). Your articles are never dry and boring, they always have emotions and personality infused in them, but when you tackle bigger and deeper topics, I have noticed that you sometimes overindulge in generalizations and a little bit of haughtiness seeps through.

Having been following you since your fashion blog days, I can definitely see how you have been changing through your sailing life, maybe some of the wording will also change as you continue to grow.

- Rose

Good comment, Rose, thank you. Of course it must be a woman who knows how to criticize constructively! You have a point. Though the very same words that made you feeling uncomfortable, have been stated by many Americans that I know or know of so it is also a matter of opinions. I shall think more about what you say though as there always is room for improvement in writing and the way of communicating.

Even though I think Florida is superficial, shall I say more superficial, I still enjoy it as a destination. I too have superficial sides to myself, so one thing doesn't exclude the other. There's always two sides of a coin. And Florida has other sides to it that are less superficial too I suppose.

I realize Americans are seldom as outspoken as many Europeans. Our way of conversing is a tad different, our is more direct and not as polite at all times as in the US. That doesn't mean that we hate more, only that we rather skip the sugar coating of words real meaning. It is interesting, the way people choose to communicate. Misunderstandings are easily made,in particular in between people from different cultures and backgrounds. Just thinking of my French/Greek partner who has a very strong way of painting words!

Money is happiness, this is measured, it creates freedom and diminishes worry, up to a certain point, in the US, this amounts to $75K.

If you really want to stir the hornet's nest, say something about gun control ;-)

In regards to gun control, I'll leave it to the citizens to argue about. Before I got to the US, I had a very strong feeling against personal use and ownership of guns, we're raised that way in Scandinavia. But after spending some time here in the US and realizing the state of politics through conversation with Americans, I can see a slight point in some of them wanting to keep guns at home. I don't say I think it is right, I don't think either the government/police nor the citizens should be able to use guns as freely as is allowed now. But given the current state this country is in and moving towards, I can have some understanding in both perspectives. In my ideal world though, no one would or should ever have to have a reason to make use of nor protect themselves with firearms.

Now you were in so many countries and nowhere was so much stress and discussions as here. A bit hysterical and intolerant………strange.

Well written Taru! Americans are in general the most introvert people in the world, even though they are told otherwise by their own. A so called world police that cannot take care of their own, nor bring down their gun violence due to their love of freedom, i.e. of weapons.

Thank you taru! I truly agree with what you're saying. And all we can do is make choices for ourselves and the way we wish and choose to live our own life. If other people make other choices, that are theirs. We have no control over anything or anybody but ourselves and our own choices.
I hope you make it back to NYC sometime soon!

Wow, you hit a nerve. I love your posts and (separately) I'm interested to see which topics provoke the biggest responses.

Some people seem clamped to their country of residence that the fervent righteousness seems almost to be a religious faith.

I have spent time in many countries, all of them do some things better than my home country, all of them do some things worse. It's a fit. I love visiting New England and can see why you chose to spend some time there.

I just would like to bring another aspect in this discussion. Taru, you wrote : "Even if you have it all made and thought out for yourself, many others seem to live life on autopilot, almost as they were robots." Imagine the most people of the world would act like you. How chaotic would be the world ;-) . Be thankful that there are so many robots who keep the world running ;-) Greetings from Birgit (Germany)

How can you talk about not getting caught up in commercialism and brand names, but then sell bathing suits that cost up to $500 in your store?

Who has ever said that I am not or do not want to be "caught up in commercialism and brand names?" Is there anyone in the modern world that can be totally free from commercialism? Please read better next time. I am talking about being in charge of your own life and choices. Not about excluding everything from your life that is "commercial".

Also read my about section in the shop if you are curious about more details:

"These are some of my favorite products from some of my very favorite brands. I strive for filling this space with consciously created products made by people who have a desire to make this world a more beautiful place without putting a strain on neither our nature, health nor the society.

All beautiful things in my store are made by friends of mine or people whom I respect. Rather than using this outlet as a means of making profit (I keep very little, but do receive lovely sponsored products!), I use it as a way to support talented women, to showcase bits and pieces that I think my readers will enjoy, and to give them options of brands and products that could otherwise be hard to locate in today's cluttered, over-saturated market...."

I'm not surprised at the level of outrage stirred up by the the act of a "foreigner, and a mere woman at that" LOL who would dare voice their observations about a country they are visiting. You see, Americans are masters at self delusion--- they have to be in order to maintain their beliefs about American Exceptionalism.

For example, holding the belief that America is the Land Of Opportunity when statistically upward mobility is greater in many countries in the EU, South America, and Asia.

Believing that we do not have a class system and everybody is middle class when in fact the income distribution in the US is the most skewed in favor of the .01% Upper Class of any advanced country and is more unequal than any of the so called banana republics in the hemisphere.

Believing that we have the best health care system in the world when the World Health Organization ranks the US #38, far behind any other advanced industrial country, and far behind Colombia at #22 were you recently visited.

Believing that the US is not an Imperial Military State when we have 1400 bases all over the world and spend nearly as much on the Imperial Military as the entire rest of the world combined.

Believing that we have a free press when all news and television is controlled by a half dozen corporations who all represent the .01% elite.

I could go on, but that should be enough to deflect the fire from your thoughtful comments and let your critics rage against me for daring to provide facts as counterpoint to "Love it or Leave it ideology.

I have been following your blog for quite some time now. For the record I'm Belgian, married to a Dutchie and my hubby got me into sailing although I do not consider it as a passion myself but certainly enjoying it as long as it's not too rough. We both chose to be self employed and are thus leading our "little" companies. It's a choice of life, no longer wanting to be swallowed by this harsh corporate world out there where we spent many years, learnt a lot and met. We make less money but we are having this little bit of extra freedom. Being self employed is extremely hard, you loose lots of social security advantages, pay more taxes. But again it's a choice. Luckily Belgium is very well provided with good health care. Anyway, the choices you make in life are yours only, whether you want to share them publicly on a blog or not. That's what freedom of expression is all about. Nevertheless, be careful what you post. Maybe some inner thoughts should be kept to yourself. I can completely understand that some of you misread or misunderstand, I do too sometimes (being in the editing business). I'm appalled regularly by what you write. You both are very lucky people (or maybe that's what you want the world out there to think) and should focus on that ... Ship ahoy ! Mimi from Belgium

Horizonstar, I was waiting for your intelligent comment! Good knowing that many Americans like yourself know these truths. Travel and education is so very important in order to become aware and to be able to question the society that we live in. But what if education is kept at the very basic level, propagated towards one nations superiority only, and one is taught that it is dangerous to travel? That is what is so sad with this "modern", "free", but otherwise great country and I do have understanding for the load of ignorance out there due to what they have been taught. And still continue to be told through the corrupt media that you point out. It's not the people's fault in the end like you said last time, even though one would wish they too could take the power in their own hands and start anew. Thank you for your always insightful reflections.

Taru one thing you will find about Americans is that we have lost the ability to have meaningful dialogue about anything that is contrary to our closely held opinion. We are unable or unwilling to separate the belief from the believer because, heaven forbid, we might actually find that our beliefs are unfounded. Instead it's much easier to be offended when someone questions the viability of them, assuming it as some type of attack on our person. One of the things I appreciate most about your writing is your ability to separate your ideas from your individual person and to analyze them for education's sake. Without that ability we can no longer grow, but remain stunted, limited by our own small view of the world and our place in it.

Deb
S/V Kintala
www.theretirementproject.blogspot.com